What's inspiring me right now? Sustainable products... There are many beautiful products on the market with more elements of sustainability than ever before. Most manufacturers are including more and more items in their product lines that emphasize green living. I recently had a client with extreme allergies so I sourced fabrics low in chemical exposure. Here are designs that incorporate sustainable products beautifully. Concrete floors, teak ceilings, bamboo bedding, non VOC paint, recycled copper, recycled glass and recycled plastics for carpet are common green materials . This list is not all inclusive. New green products are coming to market all the time. Many are made in the US but there are imports too.
Breath easy at night ... no off gassing with these materials
Non VOC paint and recycled glass make a wonderful outdoor room...photo LA Times
Teak teamed with stainless steel create a posh modern Copat kitchen
Teak on the ceiling, non VOC paint on the walls, a rug dyed with natural dyes... Is that the aesthetic you're working toward?
Q Collection fabric and furniture uses non toxic materials in their manufacturing process. You wont find toxic glues and formaldehyde in their furniture
When I think of teak I think of far off tropics in southeast Asia. Teak is used extensively there as a wood for furniture. I love its use in an outdoor environment where it takes on a soft patina as it ages. Its highly resistant to termites and rot and takes on a soft gray in color with weather exposure. Reclaimed and recycled teak have become extremely popular in the US and Europe. It's a highly durable tropical wood that only gets better with time.
The teak deck adds a place to relax among this Indian garden pool.I understand why this homeowner in Oakland, CA preferred reclaimed teak for a backyard gazebo over using wood from a big box store. image: NY Times
Reclaimed teak from Indonesia is used for floorboards in this Minnesota house. The weathered boards add to the old world charm. image: NY Times
Teak is a popular wood for Indian furniture makers. I would use these chairs in a sun room, patio setting or any room where I want to add a rustic element. White cotton canvas cushions add sophistication or a floral print for a casual feel.
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